WOW- August 17th-Harriet Helton

Dave Broome and I came to ISBC in 1991 because our family was unhappy at our former church, and our children had been active in the youth program at ISBC with friends for a while.  We decided to try it out for a few weeks, and now, 21 years later, I’m still here! We joined the church in April, 1992.

I was blessed to grow up in a Christian family.  My parents belonged to First Christian Church in Kingsport, and I was raised in that church, and attended there for just over 40 years (and 9 months before, as Bro. Roc says).  Sunday School and church attendance was expected, and was never up for negotiation.  When on vacation with my parents, we attended church wherever we happened to be (and I have attended church in places all over the U.S.).  

I have always had a strong faith in Jesus Christ as my personal Savior, and made profession of that faith on April 17, 1960.  One of the first things I told Bro. Roc when he came to Kingsport was that I was a Christian for 40 years, and then became a Baptist.  Sharing my faith with others has always come easily for me, and I have a heart for helping people in Jesus’ name. 

The Lord has blessed Bryant Helton and I greatly since we have been married  (3 years and 5 months, but who is counting??), and we love paying those blessings forward to those who need our assistance, both in the church and in our community. I am retired, and my hobbies are traveling, reading, spoiling grandchildren (we have eight of them between us, 6 girls and 2 boys, ages 6 to 21), finding new restaurants, and meeting new people. My three children were all members of ISBC before they got married, moved away, had children, etc.  My first husband, Dave, was a member until his death in 2006, and my second husband, Bryant, has been a member of ISBC for several years as well.

By the time I was 21 years old, my Dad made sure I had visited all 48 continental United States, and  I have since visited Hawaii and Alaska.  I have flown in a hot air balloon at least 20 times or more, and love being high in the air (would love living in a condo on the top floor of a high-rise building in San Francisco – my favorite city in the U.S.).  I have a pen pal in New Zealand, whom I have met twice, and I would love to visit her.  We have been pen pals for 48 years now (since we were both 13 years old and in Girl Scouts in our respective countries).

On my bucket list is riding a zip-line, going to New Zealand, flying in a helicopter, and parachuting out of an airplane.  I think I might take care of the first 3, but I think I should have done that last one when I was younger and less intelligent!  Most everything on my bucket list from long ago has been accomplished, and God has been very gracious to allow me to do many of the things I had a desire to do.  The last thing on my bucket list is to live in the presence of Holy God for eternity.  I sealed that trip back in 1960, and know I will make that journey when God is finished with me on this earth.

NOTE:  My philosophy is that the glass is ALWAYS half-full.  I try to keep a smile on my face at all times, and look at the positive aspects of every situation I encounter.  I love people, and am blessed to have friends from coast to coast, and in many other countries.  I love my Savior, Jesus Christ, and am striving to grow in His wisdom and guidance.  My favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11:  “’For I know the plans I have for you’, declares the Lord, ‘ plans to prosper and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’.”   This is the promise on which I have based my life, and I try to live according to that principle, always looking toward what wonderful plans my Lord has for my life on earth, and my future with Him in Heaven. 

Submitted by Kathy Neal
Communications Coordinator  

WOW!-August 10th -Phyllis Nuerdenburg

I was born in Middlesboro, Kentucky in1944. I was an only child, and I had an only child, Kristie. Next to Jesus, my parents were the most wonderful people in the world! They were married for 65 years and passed away only two months apart in 2003. I still miss them terribly.

In 1945, we moved to Kingsport. I grew up in Litz Manor Baptist church, attending Sunday School, Training Union, G.A.s and VBS. I made Queen-with-a-Sceptor in G.A.s.

I was saved in 1955 in a revival at Litz Manor. I truly had the faith of a child. During VBS, they drew names out of a hat to determine who would carry the American and Christian Flags down the aisle. My friend and I got down on our hands and knees and prayed that we could carry the flags. They drew both our names out of the hat!

I graduated from Dobyns Bennet high school in 1963, and attended Lincoln Memorial University for one year. I decided college wasn't for me, so went to work at Eastman, where I worked for ten years. After that, I worked at Clothes Tree, in the Ft. Henry Mall. I discovered I had a talent for creating pretty window displays, and putting outfits together. I love clothes and makeup!

I have been a personal trainer to many at Great Body Company and Effective Fitness.  Other jobs included being a substitute teacher, and working at a coffee shop. I guess you can say I have made my living with my social skills! I have been working for Pam Archer and Maria LaBarbera at Pamela's Event Design for the past ten years. I love working in a Christian environment. We can talk freely about God, and listen to Christian music. We also laugh a lot. They tell me I am their comic relief.

We lived in California for three years when Kristie was a baby. She was born on my birthday!  She teaches school at Jonesborough Middle School.  We moved back to Kingsport in 1974. I have lived in the same house for 37 years.

For years I prayed for God to heal my marriage. After my husband left, it was very difficult, but God had something better for me.  I am now married to the most wonderful man in the world, Bill Neurdenburg! We didn't know we were getting married until two hours before. We went to talk to Tom and Barbara Suiter, who were very dear friends of ours, to see if he would consider marrying us. He asked if we wanted to get married that night, and we said yes. We got married in front of their fireplace, on December 22nd. Barbara fixed everything really pretty for us. We have been married thirteen years this December.

I have been a member of ISBC since 1986. I serve as a Greeter. I have a heart for the poor, remembering what a hard time I had as a single parent trying to get by. I serve in the Indian Springs Food Pantry, where I use my love for clothes to put outfits together for those in need of clothing.

I love studying the Bible. This year will mark the ninth consecutive year to read it all the way through. I give the One-Year Bible away in memory of my parents. These Bibles are in many places in the world now.

I love my friends dearly. Steve and Susan Butler, Charles and Pam Archer, and Steve and Vernon Lott have always been there for me.  J.R. and Susan Sharpe have put up with me yelling over the fence for years, as they are my neighbors.

I take care of myself by working out and eating healthy. I run four miles every morning and get my fruits and vegetables by juicing daily. I believe God expects us to be good stewards of our bodies.

I am a greeter at church, so you can see me every Sunday morning outside the nursery entrance, handing out bulletins. Come by and introduce yourself to me. I love meeting people.